Philippines sends ‘Bwakaw’ to Oscars

Pic centers on gay man looking for love in twilight years

SHANGHAI — The Film Academy of the Philippines has entered the dramedy “Bwakaw,” written and directed by Jun Robles Lana, as the Southeast Asian country’s entry in the foreign-language category at the Oscars.

Pic stars Eddie Garcia as a gay man who comes out of the closet at the age of 70, looking for love in his twilight years, who strikes up a friendship with a dog called Princess.

“Bwakaw” played in the Contemporary World Cinema section of the Toronto Film Festival.

“Bwakaw’s” local run began on Sept. 5. Fortissimo Films has worldwide rights.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will announce the five nominees for foreign-language film on Jan. 10.